The 2004 national committee for the university admission test (SPMB) will be held on July 14 and July 15, 2004, and will accommodate some 86,607 new students spread in 1,615 programs.

"The admission test is usually held in early July, but this time it will be held in the middle of July because of the presidential election," committee director Boedi Santoso told reporters on Thursday.

According to Asman, 49 state universities throughout Indonesia will participate in the admissions program, including new participant Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University in Banten.

Last year, two new universities joined the SPMB, namely the Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University in Banten and Trunojoyo University in Madura, East Java.

He said that students competing for admission in state universities have to show their diplomas and documents certifying that they passed the national exams. The admission will also be available for graduates from the years 2002 and 2003.

The admission forms could be obtained either collectively at respective high schools or at 46 branches of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) around the country from June 21 till July 9, 2004.

Forms will be available at Rp 110,000 (US$11,70) for one option (science or liberal arts) and Rp 135,000 ($14,36) for both options. (The Jakarta Post)